HBO: Game of Thrones character is 100% dead

Spoiler alert! Game of Thrones creators have confirmed the death of a major character from last season. No, not that one. Eager fans awaiting to hear the fate of Jon Snow will have to wait a little longer. This titbit of information concerns stony faced Stannis Baratheon, who was last seen slumped against a tree as Brienne of Tarth prepared to deal a fatal blow to the self-proclaimed one true king of Westeros.

Millions tuned in to see last season's nail-biting finale, which ended with the futures of several key characters hanging in the balance. Stannis was last seen on the screen as Brienne swung her sword at him before the camera cut away, sparking rumours and fan theories that he would return next season. But now, HBO have confirmed that Brienne did in fact fufill her vow to avenge Renly Baratheon's murder (viewers will remember Renly was killed by a terrifying shadow birthed by red priestess Melisandre in season 2).

According to a passage from HBO's new book Game of Thrones: The Noble Houses of Westeros Seasons 1-5, Stannis was "killed outside of Winterfell by Brienne of Tarth, who wished to avenge Renly's death".

So that's cleared that up then. But is our beloved Jon Snow (the possible saviour of Westeros and the one who can help unite fire and ice) still alive? That still remains to be seen.

Season 6 of the hugely popular show is due to return next April. It will be the first season to depart from George RR Martin's A Song Of Ice And Fire novel series, as the show has overtaken his books. The long-awaited sixth novel The Winds Of Winter is yet to be given a release date.